Uganda Ladies Golf Union (ULGU) president Rita Okot Apell is full of optimism for the future of the game of swing in the country after she, on Thursday, unveiled a new Stanbic Annual Junior Golf Championship.
The tourney, whose inaugural edition will be played at Uganda Golf Club (UGC) in Kitante on Sunday, is set to run thanks to main sponsors Stanbic Bank and Krystal mineral water from Hariss International.
‘Golf is a big deal for us but it is a big day for us because of the customers we serve and in this case, for the children of our customers,’ remarked Stanbic Bank’s head of affluent banking Arthur Kiwanuka.
‘Customers come to us for growth. They also come to us for legacy, this is part of legacy. The kids are our legacy,’ he added.
‘Together with Stanbic Bank, we are shaping a future where every child and young adult -whether a beginner or a rising star – has a chance to learn, compete, and thrive,’ said Apell.
A field of 160 youngsters is expected to compete in three categories at the par-72 course at the championship expected to be one of the most inclusive youth golf events of 2025.
The tournament’s main category will have players of ages four to 18 with established handicaps while there will also be a skills-test category for those new to the game.
And the championship will have a subsidiary event for youth aged 19 to 35, a launch-pad into more competitive golf.
‘When they (young golfers) clock 19, they have to join the clubs and play competitively and we introduce a youth event of 19-35 to cater for the growing interest among young adults,’ stated Apell.
‘As the Union, we are constantly looking for ways of attracting juniors and one of the ways is through families. It’s really a family day, as we look at nurturing the game,’ she added.
Stanbic’s contribution is Shs25m in cash as well as logistical support.